How Do Kids Get Prescription Drugs?

Although you may not think it applies to your life or your family, you may be aware that prescription drug addiction and abuse is a very big problem. But it's not just ‘druggies' taking them. People from all walks of life and every age - kids, young adults and even seniors - are getting hooked. How could kids get these drugs? You should know the answer to that question if you want to protect them.

As may be expected, one of sources is other kids. We worry about our kids being offered drugs in school. We even check out schools regarding drug problems before we send our kids there. But prescription drug addiction and abuse may be even more of a problem in the best schools than in others.

Why? Because the kids of parents who are concerned enough to check out the drug scene in schools have probably educated their kids on the dangers of drugs. So, they won't take them. But the parents talked about marijuana, hash, cocaine, heroin, and speed. Not about prescription drugs. They think of them as medicine, and except their kids to do the same.

But kids have discovered that those ‘medicines' can also get them high or make them ‘feel good.' OxyContin and other painkillers are at the top of the list, but they're also taking tranquilizers, sedatives and stimulants.

Where do the kids who give them to others get them?

A major source is their parents' medicine cabinets. They sneak into the bathroom, check out old or current prescriptions, grab a few pills, and take them. And share them with friends.

Sometimes they take them to 'pharming' parties. All the kids bring some of their parents' prescription drugs from home, throw them into a bowl at the party, and everyone takes what they want.

They have no idea what they're taking, what the side effects are, what drugs are safe to combine with others, or how strong the drug is. They just take them.

It might be unbelievable to some adults that kids would do that. Again, they think of prescription drugs as ‘medicine', not ‘drugs,' only to be taken as directed by their doctor. Kids don't see it that way, but most believe that because the drugs came from a doctor, they're safe.

Another major source of prescription drugs is doctor shopping - going from one doctor to another pretending to have pain or other symptoms to get a prescription. Of course, you can't do that if you're very young. But older teenagers and young adults definitely can. And do.

College kids, for example, are taking prescription drugs left, right and center. And even though they're older, and you would think they'd know better, they also believe that the drugs are safe because they came from a doctor. They don't think they're doing anything dangerous by doctor shopping or by taking the drugs, they just think they're beating the system.

Of course, there are those who are well aware that the drugs are dangerous and addictive. They might go to several doctors every day, and get hundreds of pills. They'll sell them to others - kids, young adults, even seniors - and use them to support their own prescription drug addiction.

Internet sales of dangerous and addictive prescription drugs is also a big problem. There are literally hundreds of Internet pharmacies where anyone can get drugs. Many sites don't require a prescription at all - which some boldly advertise - and some say they'll provide a prescription for you; they have you fill out a questionnaire that's reviewed by a doctor who then writes a prescription the online pharmacy can fill.

In this case, you're dealing with unethical doctors out to make a few extra bucks. They get paid for every prescription they write, but absolutely nothing is done to verify the information on the questionnaire. Tests have been done that prove anyone who can fill out one of those surveys - it doesn't matter if you're 12 years old - can get the drugs.

It may be hard to believe that doctors would do that, and most doctors won't. But there are enough to make Internet drugs sales a very big business.

Don't assume your kids - no matter what their age - aren't involved in, exposed to, or taking prescription drugs. Educate your kids on the dangers of prescription drugs and check out the sources above very thoroughly. If you find there's a problem, consider an addiction treatment center to sort it out.